Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 452

452. Visitors of Mount Kongtong

Yunhyun and Gaekong were enjoying the midday sun.

The scent of tea wafted from the teacups on the table, and the view of the Qilian Mountains stretching before them was breathtaking.

Even though the area around them was a bit dug up.

Creak.

The closed door opened slowly.

Yunhyun turned, and the old woman, Neung Se-yeong, walked out of the room.

Sabeok, sabeok [sound of soft footsteps].

Her steps were elegant and light.

You wouldn’t think she had spent her whole life in the mountains.

Yunhyun stood up.

“You’re awake, Elder.”

“I apologize for leaving you guests alone.”

Neung Se-yeong looked at Gaekong as she spoke.

Gaekong, holding his teacup, didn’t even turn his head, but Neung Se-yeong said softly.

“…Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

Clatter.

Gaekong said, setting down his teacup.

“Because it’s what I wanted to do.”

Neung Se-yeong smiled.

She turned to Yunhyun as well.

“Thank you. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

Yunhyun smiled back.

“You’re welcome. It was something we had to do.”

“What in this world does one *have* to do? I’m simply grateful.”

Neung Se-yeong looked at Gaekong again.

But Gaekong was still looking away.

Just then,

“Grandma! Where are you! Grandma!”

Geum Hwa-yeong’s voice came from inside the room.

Neung Se-yeong frowned and turned.

Whirr.

The door burst open, and Geum Hwa-yeong rushed out.

She saw Neung Se-yeong and ran to her immediately.

“Grandma!”

Thud.

Geum Hwa-yeong hugged Neung Se-yeong tightly.

Neung Se-yeong scowled.

“You, in front of the guests…”

But Geum Hwa-yeong didn’t care.

The tall girl buried her face in Neung Se-yeong’s shoulder and began to cry.

Neung Se-yeong clicked her tongue lightly and raised her hand to stroke Geum Hwa-yeong’s hair.

Sarak [rustling sound].

“I’m alright. There’s no need to cry.”

Geum Hwa-yeong raised her head after a long moment.

Neung Se-yeong wiped her tear-stained face with her hand.

Geum Hwa-yeong looked back at Yunhyun and Gaekong.

“Thank you, Yun Gongzi [young master]. Thank you, Gaekong Elder.”

“You can stop thanking us now.”

Yunhyun said with an awkward smile.

After Neung Se-yeong’s treatment, Geum Hwa-yeong had thanked them countless times.

“R-right. I’ll be back in a moment…”

Geum Hwa-yeong hurried back into the room.

Neung Se-yeong sighed as she watched her go.

“Tsk, tsk, how will she ever survive in this world with such a tender heart…”

Yunhyun gave a wry smile.

In reality, Geum Hwa-yeong didn’t hesitate at all to cut down those she deemed enemies.

She had wanted to kill the two devils even in Geumgajang, and she had cut off the Blood Demon’s neck without hesitation, even kicking the corpse, hadn’t she?

Even ordinary martial artists couldn’t do that easily, so it was inevitable that a wry smile appeared at the word ‘tender’.

“How do you feel?”

Gaekong suddenly asked.

Neung Se-yeong sat down on an empty chair.

“Good. I feel like I’ve become ten years younger.”

“Don’t overdo it, though.”

Gaekong said to Neung Se-yeong with a sharp look.

“It’s only now that the function has been barely restored. It will take time to move with the same senses as before.”

“Huhu. The same senses as before is like a dream.”

Neung Se-yeong let out a hollow laugh.

Compared to feeling death approaching day by day, it truly felt like a dream.

“Thank you.”

“I’ve already received your thanks. And I didn’t do it alone.”

Gaekong pointed to Yunhyun with his chin.

Yunhyun quickly said.

“I’ve already received your thanks too.”

Neung Se-yeong smiled.

The smile spreading across her aged face looked truly gentle.

Neung Se-yeong asked Gaekong.

“Then when can I go down? I want to go to the Kongtong Sect as soon as possible.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s today. But never overdo it. You are, after all…”

“Thank you. It feels surprisingly good to have someone worry about me.”

Gaekong frowned.

“I’m not worried.”

“Yes, let’s just leave it at that.”

At Neung Se-yeong’s answer, Gaekong turned his head away completely.

But that reaction was even more unexpected to Yunhyun.

This was because he had never seen Gaekong answering back so meticulously except when dealing with Sword Saint and Ireungen.

Neung Se-yeong poured tea into an empty teacup.

Pour.

Smelling the rising fragrance, Neung Se-yeong looked at the scenery of the Qilian Mountains.

It was a sight she had grown tired of seeing for the past few decades, but today it somehow looked unusually new.

The midday sun in the Qilian Mountains passed by so quietly.

Yunhyun and Gaekong descended from the Qilian Mountains with Neung Se-yeong and Geum Hwa-yeong.

It was a late start, so they arrived at the village late at night, but it didn’t matter because they had passed the most difficult part of the road in broad daylight.

The group, who joined Jo Gwan and Hang Jang-ik, spent a day at the inn and set off for Mount Kongtong the next morning.

Ttagak, ttagak [sound of horse hooves].

A large carriage sped along the main road.

Neung Se-yeong looked at the passing scenery of the Qilian Mountains with a fresh feeling.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this scenery. I never thought I’d see it again in my life.”

At those words, Yunhyun suddenly asked as if he had remembered something.

“Then have you been only in the Qilian Mountains all this time?”

“That’s right. I used to travel a lot when I was chasing the Blood Demon, but even then, most of my travels were in Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai, or Yumen Pass west of Jiayuguan.”

Yumen Pass is a gate further west than Jiayuguan.

It meant that Neung Se-yeong had no connection with the prosperous Gangnam [south of the Yangtze River] or the bustling Gangbuk [north of the Yangtze River] throughout her life.

“The scenery is the same as before, but the feeling is so different, so in the end, maybe only people change.”

Neung Se-yeong said quietly.

At those words, each person quietly fell into thought.

Ttagak, ttagak.

The carriage sped along the straight main road.

The desolate scenery gradually disappeared, and the view of the Qilian Mountains outside slowly turned a deep blue.

In that way, the group was heading to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province.

***

The group arrived in Lanzhou and stayed at an inn for two days.

This was because they had to find out through Jo Gwan if the government had any information about the Blood Cult or the Demonic Cult, and they also had to find medicinal herbs for Neung Se-yeong.

After confirming that the government had no information, Yunhyun conveyed his concerns about the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult to the Surveillance Commissioner’s Office.

Leaving Jo Gwan and Hang Jang-ik in Lanzhou in case of an emergency, the group headed to Mount Kongtong.

Mount Kongtong, a famous mountain of Taoism where the auspicious energy of the world gathers, said to resemble a crouching dragon and tiger.

It was on this very mountain, where even ancient emperors came to seek enlightenment, that the Kongtong Sect, well known for the Subduing Demon Sword, was located.

“Wow.”

Geum Hwa-yeong exclaimed in surprise.

Yunhyun couldn’t help but be amazed as well.

“This is… amazing.”

The reclusive Kongtong Sect was much larger than expected.

The various Taoist temples and buildings located deep within Mount Kongtong were impressive, but the Taoist temple built into the cliff face, visible from afar, was the most striking.

In reality, only the front of the Taoist temple building was built onto the cliff, but at first glance, it looked as if the Taoist temple was buried in the cliff, giving it a very mysterious feeling.

“There are many caves in Mount Kongtong, so it is said that Taoists have been practicing in the caves since ancient times.”

Neung Se-yeong said.

She, having been here before, knew the Kongtong Sect the best among the group.

“So that’s how that kind of Taoist temple was built.”

“There seem to be quite a few pilgrims as well.”

Yunhyun said, looking at the people coming and going.

Although not as many as Shaolin or Wudang, quite a few pilgrims were burning incense.

Considering the deep and rugged mountain terrain of Mount Kongtong, it was quite unexpected.

“The Kongtong Sect is very reclusive, but it’s not the same as a Taoist temple. They don’t own separate fields either, so it can’t be helped.”

In other words, the pilgrims supported the finances of the Kongtong Sect.

This Mount Kongtong was also a place where dozens of Taoist temples and shrines were scattered.

“Now, let’s go.”

At Neung Se-yeong’s words, Yunhyun, Gaekong, and Geum Hwa-yeong moved forward.

Several Taoists from the Kongtong Sect were guarding in front of the tall paifang [traditional Chinese gate], which looked like only a large gate had been erected.

Neung Se-yeong lightly bowed to one of them and asked.

“Is Hyeonmyeongja still the head of the Kongtong Sect?”

The young Taoist was greatly surprised.

He quickly bowed to Neung Se-yeong.

“No. Soyang Jin-in [a Taoist title] is now serving as the head of the sect. But…”

“Ah, I am Neung Se-yeong. I used to use the name Cheonilgeom [Thousand Mile Sword]. If it’s okay, would you tell Soyang Jin-in that I have come?”

The young Taoist hesitated for a moment.

But soon he nodded firmly.

“I understand. Please wait here for a moment.”

The young Taoist said something to the other Taoists and hurried inside.

After a while, the young Taoist walked out with another older Taoist.

The older Taoist bowed to Neung Se-yeong.

“Are you Cheonilgeom?”

“That’s right. I had a brief acquaintance when Hyeonmyeongja was the head of the sect.”

“I understand. Please follow me.”

The group followed the older Taoist inside.

As seen from the outside, the Kongtong Sect was larger and had more pilgrims than expected.

But as they went a little further inside, people soon became scarce, and a Taoist temple with an ancient feel unfolded before the group’s eyes.

“Tsk.”

Gaekong, who was walking, suddenly clicked his tongue.

His expression was not very good.

The Taoists of the Kongtong Sect, whom they encountered while passing by, were all glaring at the group with unpleasant expressions.

“…Something must have happened.”

Yunhyun said with an awkward face.

How long had they walked?

The older Taoist guided the group to a building.

It was old and dilapidated, but it had a certain charm.

The Taoist carefully said in front of the door.

“Jin-in [Taoist title]. I have brought someone who calls himself Cheonilgeom.”

“Bring them inside.”

At the heavy voice heard from inside, the older Taoist opened the door.

Creak.

“Please come inside.”

Neung Se-yeong thanked the older Taoist who had guided them and strode inside.

Geum Hwa-yeong, Yunhyun, and Gaekong also followed.

Tak.

The door closed behind them.

The interior of the building was an old, dilapidated Taoist temple.

In the middle of the temple, a Taoist with a white beard was sitting with his eyes closed.

Swish.

The Taoist opened his eyes.

He bowed his head and paid his respects, reciting the Taoist name.

“This humble Taoist is Honwon Jin-in, an elder of the Kongtong Sect. Did you say that you are Cheonilgeom?”

Neung Se-yeong lightly bowed her head.

“I have transferred the title to my disciple due to circumstances. The reason I came to find you is because of the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult.”

Honwon Jin-in’s eyebrows twitched.

Neung Se-yeong continued with a firm expression.

“Recently, the Hellblood Dragon and his Blood Demons attacked my residence. Now that the Blood Cult has begun to move, the Demonic Cult will not remain still. Does Kongtong know about their movements?”

Honwon Jin-in quietly recited the Taoist name.

After a moment of silence, he quietly shook his head.

“I understand why Cheonilgeom has come to Kongtong…”

“And since when.”

Neung Se-yeong interrupted Honwon Jin-in’s words.

Neung Se-yeong continued, looking straight at Honwon Jin-in.

“Has Kongtong been welcoming old friends in this way?”

Her voice revealed a clear displeasure.

It couldn’t be helped.

Honwon Jin-in still hadn’t offered the group a seat.

This meant that they were not welcoming the group’s visit and could kick them out at any time, so it was no wonder that Neung Se-yeong was displeased.

“Hoo.”

Honwon Jin-in let out a long sigh.

“How could I not know Cheonilgeom? I still remember the way you came to Kongtong in the past.”

He continued quietly.

“But now is not a good time. The vigilance against outsiders has become extremely severe, and…”

Honwon Jin-in raised his eyes and looked towards Yunhyun and Gaekong.

“These two are the Poisonous Sword, who has sown death wherever he goes, and the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, which is said to be the leading righteous sect of the Jianghu [martial arts world].”

He said with a bitter smile.

If none other than the Poisonous Sword, and the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, who is making a lot of noise in the Jianghu martial world, had come, it was obvious that the Kongtong Sect would be turned upside down right away.

In a rather negative sense.

“We have already suffered a great injury. The head of the sect and the four great elders have suffered serious internal injuries and have entered seclusion, so I hope you will not cause any more trouble.”

“Serious internal injuries?”

Neung Se-yeong frowned.

“Who on earth did such a thing to the head of the Kongtong Sect and the four great elders? Could it be the Blood Cult or the Demonic Cult…”

Honwon Jin-in quietly recited the Taoist name.

He said quietly.

“It was a man called the Dark Sky Demon Emperor.”

In an instant, Yunhyun’s expression hardened.